Service signal for tables



May 15, 1951 A. E. MYERS SERVICE SIGNAL FOR TABLES Filed April '7, 1949 AUST/N 5 MYERS Z'mventor (Ittorneg Patented May 15, 1951 UNITED STATESPATENT OFFICE SERVICE SIGNAL FOR TABLES Austin E. Myers, Amarillo, Tex.

Application April 7, 1949, Serial N 0. 86,095

1 Claim.

This invention relates to improvements in service signals, such as those used on tables in restaurants for attracting the waiters attention when the customer wants service.

An object of the invention is to provide a simplified construction including a swinging pivoted arm, and so arranged that said arm will not likely strike other objects on the table.

Another object of the invention is to provide, in a service signal, an arrangement whereby the same may be projected outwardly from a booth of the type found in cafes.

Another object of the invention is to provide a service signal of the relatively long pivoted arm type for simplicity and economy of construction, yet one in which the arm extends vertically in operation for attracting the waiters attention.

These and other objects of the invention will become apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a service signal embodying the features of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the service signal illustrated in Figure 1, and showing the same arranged outwardly and vertically arranged relative to its base, and which arrangement is preferred when used in a booth whereby the signal may be projected beyond the outer end of the table in the booth.

Figure 3 is an enlarged elevation and broken sectional view of one side of the signal base and the lower end of the standard, and particularly illustrating the trigger mechanism for engaging the flag or signal at the outer end of the signal arm when the assembly is in its closed position.

Figure 4 is an end elevation of the pivot arrangement connecting the upper end of the standard with the lower end of the signal arm.

Figure 5 is a vertical sectional view taken on lines 55 of Figure 4, and showing a spring arrangement for raising the signal arm to a vertical position when the outer end of said arm is released by the trigger mechanism illustrated in Figure 3.

The numeral l designates a base in the form of a relatively heavy ashtray 2 having an integral lateral extension 3 at one side. A square socket 4 is formed through the extension 3 for detachably receiving a projection 5 at the lower end of an angularly disposed o inclined standard 6. The length of the upper edgeoi the standard 6 is slotted, as at 'l, to receive an arm 3 which is pivoted at one end by a pin 9 extending through the upper end of said standard 6. The closed position of the arm 8 is shown by means of dotted lines in Figure 1. The end of the arm 8 opposite the pivot pin 9 is provided with an integral disc o flag IE and when the device is in its closed position said flag is received substantially within an enlarged portion il in the lower end of the standard 6. The slot 1 extends through the enlarged portion 1 I and is shaped at its lower end, as shown in Figure 3, to receive the contour of the flag [0.

A trigge mechanism 12 is provided in the lower end of the standard 6 and is received within a lateral opening l3 above the projection 5. The trigger mechanism I2 is comprised of a leaf spring 14 held against the upper surface of the opening l3 by means of a screw I5. The end of the spring l4 opposite the screw l5 projects outwardly from the standard 6 to provide an actuating button [6. The spring I4 is upwardly and angularly formed intermediate its ends to provide a latch I! for engagement with a notch i8 in the outer end of the flag ii).

A spring I9, as particularly shown in Figures 4 and 5, is received within opposing notches 20 in the upper end of the standard slot 1. The ends of the spring I9 are coiled about the pivot pin 9, and their projecting ends contact the sides of the notches 20, as shown in Figure'5. The center portion of the spring l9 extends outwardly from the :pin 9 where it engages one edge of the signal arm 3; and the spring I9 is arranged for raising the said arm when the flag I0 is released by the trigge mechanism l2. A shoulder 21 on the pivot end of the arm 8 engages a shoulder 22 in the upper end of the standard 6 for main taining the arm 8 in a vertical position when the flag I0 is released.

By reason of the described angular or inclined disposition of the standard 6, and by reason of the arcuate movement of the arm 8 thereabove, the flag I0 is not likely to strike objects on the table when the signal is operated. The standard 6 may be positioned above the ashtray 2 so as to occupy very little space on the table. When the device is used in a booth, the standard 6 is arranged outwardly relative to the ashtray 2 and is placed on the outer end of the booth table.

Normally, the signal is maintained in its closed position with the flag [9 received within the enlarged portion II. By depressing the trigger button IS, the flag I0 is released and the arm 8 raises the same to a vertical position for attracting the attention of the waiter. The device is closed by manually lowering the arm 8, and whereupon the trigger mechanism l2 engages the notch l8 in the flag II] for maintaining the latter within the enlarged portion 1 I of the standard 6.

The described form of the invention may be made in many ways within the scope of the appended claim.

What is claimed is:

A service signal for tables, comprising a relatively heavy round flat base having an integral extension on one side thereof, a square socket formed in the upper surface of said extension, a relatively long standard having a square projection on the lower end thereof adapted to be received within said socket, said projection being angularly disposed with respect to the length of said standard and whereby said standard will be inclined with respect to the vertical when said projection is positioned in said socket, an enlarged portion formed in the end of said standard near said projection, a slot in the upper edge of said standard and extending from the top thereof into said enlarged portion, a signal arm substantially as long as said standard and having one end thereof pivotally secured in the upper end of said slot by means of a pin passing and having one end thereof engaged with said arm and having the remaining end thereof engaged with said standard.

AUSTIN E. MYERS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 475,937 Ethridge May 31, 1892 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 176,832 Switzerland July 16, 1935 210,934 Switzerland Oct. 16, 1940 

